Editorial: A costly trip to the public library

There are more than 90,000 people in Beaufort County with public library cards. That’s something to be proud of in this day and age. What’s not so rosy is the fact that the library system is considering hiring a collection agency to recoup about $150,000 in overdue fines and materials.

Surely those who use the public library system to check out books and other materials did not intend to try to “beat the system” and to get something for nothing. Clearly they have just forgotten about the books or DVDs under little Johnny or Cindy’s bed that were due during summer break.

Obviously if the missing materials could end up costing taxpayers money and inconveniencing others who venture to the library in hopes of finding a certain resource, it’s time to look into doing something about the problem. But is hiring a collection agency to go after anyone with $25 or more in overdue fines or books the answer? We don’t think so. And neither does Beaufort County Administrator Gary Kubic, thankfully.

Kubic said in Sunday’s Bluffton Today that he wants more research and information before deciding to hire a company that would make attempts to encourage patrons with more than $25 in fees to pay up and return overdue materials.

The library board is ready to charge ahead. Kubic was right to first ask for more information.

Under review would be possible holes in lending policies and a more detailed snapshot of just who owes what to the library system. A breakdown by age of the patrons is a good idea. It could be that some of the people with overdue materials are minors that have no way to pay.

We suggest another amnesty day like the one in April that yielded fairly good results: 1,586 returned items and close to $7,000 in forgiven fees.

Bluffton Today would be happy to help spread the word to those who need help remembering to return what they borrowed. If that doesn’t work, we support a process to work to get the materials back and fines paid.

According to the statistics from the library board, there are about 2,000 folks in Bluffton, 2,000 in Hilton Head and about 4,000 in Beaufort who have more than $25 owed to the library system and account for the $150,000 worth of overdue materials.

We don’t want the county to go wild in its efforts to collect the materials and/or fines. But we do expect them to be good stewards of taxpayer money. That goes both ways. If you have a library card, use it, but do not abuse it. Return the materials or face the consequences.

We’re happy to report in this instance, everyone’s goal is the same: To get the materials returned to the public library system.

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